REVIEW: Burn by Maya Banks

The last billionaire. Who’s at loose ends. A third wheel. His world has totally changed in a few short months. He’s about to be brought to his knees in the blink of an eye, where he’ll be in his element for the first time in his life. Talk about change.

Ash is restless. Though he’s happy for his best friends now that they’ve found happiness with women they love, he’s restless. Even finding a woman for his nights doesn’t seem to be the thing to get him back on an even keel. So instead? Ash leaves the office in the middle of the day to take a walk in the park. So far from his usual behavior, but little does he know that fate is working in his favor.

Spying a woman sitting on a bench sketching, Ash is immediately fascinated. Especially with the collar she’s wearing. But she hurries away before he can discover what he needs to know. Josie is just as fascinated with Ash, but he has no place in her life as it is. She has paintings to finish and jewelry to sell just to survive, and she is in a relationship. When her art does begin to sell, things are definitely looking up for her. That’s when Ash shows up in her life again, with something she holds so very dear and with a proposal so out of left field she doesn’t know what to do with it. Other than think about it.

After more than a week of being patient, Ash waits no longer and visits Josie for her answer about becoming his. What he finds is a woman healing after being beaten and Ash sees red. He packs her and her apartment up to move in with him where she’ll be safe in his arms. That’s one huge thing I love about Ash. He’s so demonstrative with his feelings. Even if they fight, they talk about whatever the issue is – with Josie in his arms. No distance between them. What he’s offered is to take care of her, her every need, and he does so quite determinedly. I enjoyed the dichotomy of Ash’s single mindedness in pursuing Josie in the beginning, a kind of stalker-ish path, and then his tenderness amid his dominance of her. His care of her, especially in choosing her collar, is another point in his favor.

Ash does mess up, though. Even in his quest to be honest with Josie, knowing he will eventually tell her what he’s done, he gets it wrong in the end. Which throws Josie into complete heartache. Which puts her in danger neither of them saw coming. Leaving Ash after her discovery is the hardest thing she’s done, but Josie is the strongest submissive there is. During their separation, they each have a lot to think about; they each have done things by assumption that have to be worked out between them, yes, but also within each of them. That’s when danger hits. Hard. A hit that reaches them from past stories in the series.

I thoroughly enjoy those girls’ night out scenes. Every woman needs girlfriends, and these ladies are the best. Friendship means something to them and they stick by that, even despite what their men are doing at the time. I also like how the guys support their get-togethers, even supplying limos so the gals can party to their hearts’ content. Of course, the romping good time each couple has afterward is half the fun. We meet Ash’s sister this time around when she finally comes to her senses and leaves the rest of the family behind, just as Ash has for years. There’s an unexpected side romance for her with a sexy man I wish we could get to know better.

I’m sorry to see this series end. These three are the sexiest billionaires in romanceland for me. I like their loyalty to one another and how they welcome each other’s mate as they come along. You don’t want to get on the bad side of any of them. They have their own way of taking care of their own, no questions asked. The world is their oyster, but not without trials, which, along with their ladies, keeps them grounded. I’m very curious to see what Maya Banks has in store for us next.

Grade: A+

Summary:

Ash, Jace, and Gabe: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Ash, it’s the woman who changes everything he’s ever known about dominance and desire…

When it comes to sex, Ash McIntyre has always explored his wilder side—extreme and uncompromising. He demands control. And he prefers women who want it like that. Even the women he’s shared with his best friend, Jace.

But Jace is involved with a woman he has no intention of sharing. And now even Gabe has settled into a relationship with a woman who gives him everything he needs, leaving Ash feeling restless and unfulfilled.

Then Ash meets Josie, who seems immune to his charms and his wealth. Intrigued, he begins a relentless pursuit, determined she won’t be the one who got away. He never imagined the one woman to tell him no would be the only woman who’d ever drive him to the edge of desire.